Executive Director's Message

This holiday season is starting to go by so fast. It seems the older I get, the more quickly it goes by.

I really haven’t been looking forward to the holidays this year. It has been a difficult year personally for me and my children. We went through the experience of a loved one diagnosed at 58 with cancer, the subsequent surgeries, radiation, and his eventual death. The first holiday is always the most difficult after a loss, and I am sure Christmas will be especially challenging. But, to my surprise as Thanksgiving Day came, and it was time for me to tell what I was most thankful for, I realized that I was thankful for two very important reasons, my children, and my professional work with doctors...let me explain.

I know everyone loves their kids, and are generally thankful for them, some times more than others. But what I experienced during the illness was four very strong adults. They were able to provide care and support, sit through surgeries, radiation, chemo, and taking turns caring for him at home, in the last month of his life, which was where he wished to be. They bonded together, putting their life on hold, while showing compassion, faith, and love. I am thankful for the adults they have become, and know they got through this with their inner strength and strong faith.

For one moment in time my family experienced our health care system. Instead of being your executive, I was a family member of one of your patients. I realized that we were just one of hundreds of families that doctors deal with each year. First hand, I experienced the need families have for answers and understanding about their loved one and looking sometimes for miracles that just aren’t to be. It was so amazing to watch in awe as you dealt with difficult decisions and were sensitive to communicating to the patients and their families. You doctors are there daily giving of yourselves. That is the second reason on Thanksgiving I was grateful, because I am fortunate to work for doctors and have them as a part of my life. My children and I experienced first hand the excellent skills, knowledge, dignity and the compassion you showed. Each treatment, surgery, and hospital stay the doctors were there to make the patient’s last days as comfortable as possible. It is great to know I work for people who first care about the quality and dignity of life for others. Thanks from my family and all the families that may not take the time to tell you thank you.

Christmas or Hanukah, whichever you celebrate, will bring your families together and hopefully you will have some time to celebrate with them. Cherish the time you have together. New Years will bring another year of new beginnings, opportunities and challenges. I look forward to them and to beginning the New Year by seeing you at our annual meeting January 20, 2005.

From the PCMS staff and me, we are grateful to each of you for what you do daily for others. Happy Holidays to you, your family and staff. We wish you a joyous and well deserved holiday season.